FRAGILE: Part 1 by Kimberly Malone Read Free Book Online Page B

me.
    “I’ve definitely felt like I am,” I say. I shift the bags in my hands. We have a few more left, and we’re waiting for the sign to change, so we can cross the street to another section where we know there’s more homeless folks.
    Homer rolls his eyes. “Too much work, I think. Just wait till you’re actually older, young grasshopper.”
    “Yeah, yeah. My mom told me that last night,” I say.
    “Ruby?” a deep, familiar voice says from behind me.
    Seriously? I think. I turn to see Eli standing nearby, dressed as divinely as always, this time in a pinstriped gray suit, a briefcase in one hand. And here I’m in jeans and a t-shirt, with minimal makeup on. Of course, this is when I’d run into him.
    Still, I’m glad to see him again, and I smile. “Hi Eli!”
    “What are you doing?” Eli asks.
    “I volunteer with Lark’s Food Pantry,” I say. “We’re handing out food.” I gesture to Homer beside me. “This is Homer, another volunteer.”
    “Hey,” Homer says. He holds out a hand, and Eli shifts the briefcase to his other hand to shake Homer’s hand.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Homer,” Eli says. He turns his eyes to me, watching me with a slight frown. “How long have you been volunteering at Lark’s Food Pantry?”
    “Um. Maybe two years?” I say. I glance at Homer, and he nods his head.
    “Ruby here’s also a big supporter—although no one’s supposed to know that,” Homer says.
    I squint my eyes in warning at Homer, as he grins at me. I tried very hard to make my donations anonymous, but somehow they’d been connected back to me, and word had squeaked out to Homer and Stacy, probably from Erin.
    “Really?” Eli asks. He seems genuinely interested, and I find that I can’t turn away from his gaze.
    I manage to shrug my shoulders. “They do good work.”
    Eli reaches out and takes one of the bags from my hands. “Let me help you.”
    “You don’t need to do that,” I say. I can see Homer give me a thumbs up from behind Eli’s back, and I almost wave at him to stop it.
    “I insist,” Eli says.
    “You look busy though.”
    Eli shakes his head, a couple of strands of his sexy hair bouncing a little in the wind. “I just finished up early today.”
    I’m breathless, and I glance at Homer, who nods his head approvingly. “Um, okay. Are you sure though?” I eye his suit. “You look a little fancy. You might attract muggers.”
    “And women,” Homer whispers to me. I elbow him as subtly as I can when Eli glances down at himself. “Between you and him, our donations could skyrocket if we did some sort of underwear modelling show.”
    “Shut up!” I hiss at Homer, embarrassed. He just laughs, and I shake my head at him, smirking.
    Eli, seemingly oblivious of our little bicker, takes off his jacket, vest, and tie, rolling them up and throwing them over his arm. He looks more casual, but now I’m imagining all his clothes disappearing and I’m lightheaded with desire.
    “How’s that?” Eli asks.
    “Better,” I say, very eagerly. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “Thank you.”
    “Of course.” Eli takes another bag from Homer and walks with us across the street. “Homer, how long have you been with Lark’s Food Pantry?”
    “Twelve years,” Homer says. “I knew the place before, but I was too busy to volunteer up till I retired.”
    “And what did you do, before you retired?” Eli asks.
    “I was a machinist,” Homer says. “I worked for a company that makes engines for tractors.”
    I like Eli and Homer talking; it gives me a chance to watch Eli and listen to his sensual voice without thinking too hard about stuff to say—since I always end up talking about myself. I’m also curious to see if Homer can get Eli to talk about himself.
    “In Atlanta?” Eli asks.
    “Nah, we moved here to be closer to some of our daughters,” Homer says. “And what do you do? Eli, right?”
    “Yes. I’m the CEO for Marnvell